His words pierced Madam Niu’s heart like needles.

It would be the same with the lights out.

With the lights extinguished, would she be treated like Second Miss Ji?

She laughed, “I need a child. I will raise him to be the Zhao family heir.” Once I have a child, I don’t care if you die.

Zhao Xiuyuan was stunned again. He hadn’t expected Madam Niu’s inner strength to be so formidable. He suddenly asked, “Why did you choose to marry me? Although I’m not bad-looking, surely it wouldn’t be difficult for the Niu family to find a handsome and honest son-in-law to marry into the family.”

A son-in-law who marries into the bride’s family? No, she refused to have a weak-willed man. She would never accept a husband who would be trampled under Yang Jingyuan’s feet. Madam Niu brushed the silver butterfly-adorned curtain hook, and the red drapes fell. She slowly removed her outer robe: “I need a child, and you need the Niu family’s power.”

Just need a child? Zhao Xiuyuan had a sudden revelation and propped himself up, laughing at her: “You hate the Yang family! You want to use me to trample them underfoot! Because Yang Jingyuan rejected the marriage proposal, right?”

Madam Niu was stung by his words once again. She pushed him down onto the couch and said coldly, “Yes, I hate the Yang family. Don’t you? Don’t you want the Zhao family to crush the Yang family? I am your best partner!”

Candlelight filtered through the drapes onto her face, creating dense spots of light. Her eyes, cold yet filled with madness, made her face appear increasingly fierce.

Partner! Zhao Xiuyuan suddenly flipped their positions, pressing her beneath him. He yanked hard, tearing the red dress from her body, revealing her pristine white back.

His palm pressed against her back, the scorching touch making Niu Wu involuntarily clutch the bedsheet beneath her. She closed her eyes.

Clouds gathered as dawn approached, and rain suddenly poured down, causing the temperature to plummet.

The Ji family was like a small boat tossing in the wind and rain, with the entire household shrouded in an atmosphere of fear and unease. Around twenty dye workers and silk-washing maids huddled together. Everyone could see that the Ji family had lost their fortune. Would the masters sell them because of this? Their uncertain fate filled them with anxiety.

Ji Yingying, accompanied by Xiang’er and Ling’er, wore oil-cloth raincoats. Together with Matron Ji, they brought hot meals to the workers.

“Young Miss, is the Madam feeling any better?” Purple, the bold one, carefully probed.

Matron Ji saw through her intentions and was about to scold her. Ji Yingying stepped forward to stop her. She surveyed the servants and maids in the room and said calmly, “The Madam is fine, she only fainted from extreme anger. I know you’re worried about the dye house running out of dyes. The master’s fabrics need compensation. You’re afraid the dye house won’t be able to operate and will go bankrupt, and worry that the Madam will sell you. As long as my brother and I are here for one day, the dye house will never collapse. When the rain stops, clean up the dye house thoroughly.”

The servants bowed their heads before her composed face: “Yes!”

Leaving the back shelter, Ji Yingying looked up at the sky. The grey-white heavens showed no trace of sunlight. Who knew if the Zhao family would come to collect their debt notes after daybreak? She hadn’t slept all night and was extremely tired, but didn’t dare return to her room to rest. How should the Ji family deal with the Zhao family and overcome this crisis?

Just as she reached the main courtyard, Matron Wu hurriedly approached. She beckoned to Ji Yingying. When they reached the corridor, she quietly reported, “Young Miss, a gentleman surnamed Sang wishes to see you. The Young Master is accompanying him now.”

Remembering how Sang Fourteen had called the Niu family’s generals to take Zhao Xiuyuan away last night, Ji Yingying felt full of gratitude. She nodded and said, “Matron, let Mother rest well these days. Whatever happens, if brother can’t handle it, call for me. Has Uncle Ji Gui gone to Yizhou City yet?”

Matron Wu was married to Ji Fu’s brother, the shop manager Ji Gui. The doctor’s prescription included ginseng, which needed to be bought from the large medicine shop in Yizhou City.

“He’s already gone. He should reach Yizhou City right when the gates open. We can’t delay the Madam’s medicine. Young Miss, don’t worry, my husband will convey your gratitude to that benefactor at the Gaosheng Inn.”

Ji Yingying felt somewhat regretful. If there weren’t so many family matters to attend to, she would have liked to thank him personally.

She instructed Xiang’er to stay in the main courtyard to help and took Ling’er to the front courtyard.

Seeing Ji Yingying, Sang Fourteen’s face broke into a smile: “Second Miss Ji, you must have been frightened last night.”

Seeing that both their servants and maids were present, Ji Yaoting stood up: “Sister, you chat with Master Sang, I’ll go to the shop to check the inventory.”

After her brother left, Ji Yingying rose and gave Sang Fourteen a courteous bow: “Thank you for calling Zhao Xiuyuan away last night. I didn’t want to worry mother and brother, so I didn’t tell them about it.”

Sang Fourteen had returned last night and, seeing the ropes left on the ground through the locked door, had guessed what had happened. Hearing Ji Yingying speak this way, his face darkened with anger: “That beast, he did have evil intentions!” Seeing Ji Yingying lower her head in embarrassment, he changed the subject: “It’s good that you returned home safely. My servant told me that that night, Old Master Zhao, Master Zhao his wife, and Second Young Master Zhao went to Teng Garden again. Be careful, the Zhao family won’t let this go easily.”

The Zhao family. Ji Yingying’s eyes flashed with hatred. Just for her skills, the Zhao family had secretly collected debt notes and set fire to the dye house. She took a deep breath and said: “The Zhao family has already lost their advantage, surely they wouldn’t dare come to our house to seize me? The money we owe them isn’t due until April next year. They’re just trying to force us into a desperate situation to get their way. I don’t believe we can’t raise the money in three or four months.”

Despite her pale and tired face, her eyes shone with spirit, emanating a strangely enchanting light. Sang Fourteen gazed at her admiringly, somewhat understanding why Yang Jingyuan had taken a liking to her. Some women were as weak as cattails, while others stood tall like tough grass. He nodded and said: “If the Zhao family dares to force you, send someone to the Chief Historian’s mansion to find me at any time. Seventh Miss is still waiting for me, so I’ll take my leave now.”

Ji Yingying thanked him and instructed Ling’er to see Sang Fourteen out. She rubbed her temples and forced herself to stay energetic as she headed to the shop.

Having also not slept all night, Ji Yaoting’s eyes were bloodshot. The shop didn’t have much inventory, and the siblings took stock and calculated how much silver they could get from sales.

Before they knew it, daylight had broken. Ji Yingying said softly: “Brother, let’s quickly sell these goods at a low price, and use the silver to buy a batch of cheap white cloth and dyes first. Our family needs to earn money quickly, so the dye house must resume operations as soon as possible. I’ll go to the dye house at night when no one can see me. Also, we should quickly send a message to Aunt in Chang’an, urging her to help.”

Ji Yaoting nodded: “This morning when Uncle Ji Gui went into the city, I already wrote a letter and asked him to send it to Chang’an through the post station. I hope Aunt can send the silver soon.”

Suddenly, voices came from outside the small room: “Master Ji! Is Master Ji here?”

Ji Yaoting stood up and lifted the curtain, somewhat surprised: “Manager Wu!”

When Ji Yingying heard it was Manager Wu, her heart suddenly jumped to her throat, and she peered through the curtain gap.

Manager Wu looked at Ji Yaoting and sighed repeatedly: “Yesterday, someone who attended the Zhao family’s wedding banquet mentioned that the Ji family’s dye house had caught fire. As I happened to be delivering goods to Sandaoyam today, I came to check.”

Ji Yaoting gratefully clasped his hands: “Thank you for your concern. The fire wasn’t big, it only collapsed half of the warehouse.”

Manager Wu became anxious at once: “The warehouse burned, and when they put out the fire with water, wouldn’t all the dyes be…”

Having heard this much, Ji Yingying already understood most of it and pushed aside the curtain to walk out: “Manager Wu, don’t worry. The goods payment we owe you will be paid on time next February.”

“Hehe, listen to what the young miss says.” Manager Wu’s smile remained unchanged as he took out a contract and shook it, “Master Ji, it’s written here. The owed payment for goods is due next February. If the Jucai Chamber needs urgent use of funds, they can collect early without interest. I’m just a manager. The owner came to the shop to check accounts the day before yesterday. When asked about this batch of parrot blue dye, he blamed me for giving credit to your family. Please understand that I’m also just a servant. At the latest in three days, you must gather all the payment. Otherwise, I can’t explain this to the master.”

The Ji siblings’ faces turned white. Ji Yaoting said in a trembling voice: “Manager Wu, you’re adding frost to snow!”

Ji Yingying pointed at Manager Wu and sneered: “I understand now, Jucai Chamber is in cahoots with the Zhao family! Get out!”

Manager Wu didn’t defend himself. He tucked the contract into his clothes and said coldly: “Three days. If the Ji family can’t pay back the silver, this old one won’t be polite anymore!”

He left in a huff. Ji Yaoting lost his balance and collapsed to the ground.